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Another Old Veteran Dead

Nashville Globe
1 Mar 1907

Mr. George Hooper, Old and Well-Known Porter, Passes Away. — Mr. Geo. HOOPER, who has been confined to his bed for three years, his body wrecked with pain and suffering, died at the home of Mrs. Anna T. JACKSON on Eighteenth avenue, North, at an early hour Tuesday morning.

This announcement will not come to a surprise to those who had known of the patient’s long illness and sufferings, and who had expected his death at any moment during the past three years, but still it will bring a sense of sadness to many who had respected Mr. HOOPER. His long life of usefulness, his ever courteous manner and his high sense of integrity had won for him in his official capacity as head porter of the Maxwell House for thirty-two years.

Three years ago Mr. HOOPER, while in the active discharge of his duties, was suddenly seized with an attack of paralysis, which completely incapacitated him for further duty and he had practically been to his bed since. He had during those long years of illness, days of quiet and peace, but most of the time he suffered intensely and every day found him growing gradually weaker and weaker. When the end came he met it with resignation and sank greatly to rest.

During his long career as porter Mr. HOOPER accumulated at one time considerable property, but he trusted the investment of his earnings to his white friends and they were unfortunate in their investments, and all during his illness he was wholly dependent upon the liberality of friends and Mrs. Anna T. JACKSON, to whose house he was taken when first attacked with paralysis. This woman was no relation, but bound by ties of friendship opened her house to the afflicted man and for three years administered to his wants with an unselfishness rarely equaled.

Mr. HOOPER was born of slave parents in February, 1836, and was seventy-one years old when he died.

After Mr. HOOPER attained his freedom he began his career as hotel porter, first serving in that capacity for the old City Hotel, located on the public Square just south of the Methodist Publishing House block. He in turn, then served in the same capacity at the old St. Cloud Hotel on Fifth avenue, then located on the present site of the older Caster-Knol building.

In 1869, when the Maxwell House was completed and opened, Mr. HOOKER was appointed head porter under Mr. McKENN, the first manager. He continued with I.H. FALTOn and Co., of which firm Mr. John OVERTON, owner of the hotel properly, was a partner and took an active part in the management. He continued as head porter with succeeding

Had Wide Acquaintance. Mr. HOOPER perhaps knew more prominent men than any other in the South. The drummers who were

Mr. HOOKER was a member of St. Johns’s A.M.E. Curch and his liberality went far towards helping this church in past years. He was and Odd Fellow and belonged to several other secret orders, but it was for the church when he did most of service, and the congregation of St. John’s has reason to honor and revere his memory.

The funeral took place at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon, with services at St. Johns’s Church. Dr. Halglor officlals Spring. Talyr & Co.. Good call. o the three i’d probably join 1.o firstt!